President Bob Heisler presents Mens Club Check to Samaritan Ministries Representative Jan Laggin

The HSV Men's Club made donations to seven different organizations during December, 2014.  There was a total of $7,200 donated with $1,200 given to the Sacred Heart Church Holiday Baskets, and $1,000 each to the following organizations:

• Paul Bewie Boys & Girls Club
• McAuley Center Meals On Wheels program
• Jackson House, Samaritan Ministries
• St. John's Catholic School in Hot Springs
• Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School in Benton

Donations were presented by one of the officers of the Club and pictures are shown here and in the Photos section.

These donations were made possible by the two major fund raisers, the Fish Bake in March during Lent and the Chicken bake in October this year.  Thanks to all that participated in these two events.

Buddy Dixon and his "12 Days Of Christmas" choir.

The Men's Club annual dinner and party was held in the Lower Hall of the Church on Tuesday, December 9, 2014.  Over 150 members, wives, widows, and guests attended and were treated to a fine dinner catered by Home Plate Cafe.  After dinner members of the Fountain Lake High School Choir, directed by Mary Sagan, performed numerous Christmas songs for the enjoyment of those attending.  A collection was taken up to benefit the choir and over $800 was donated to them.

After the Fountain Lake choir finished their performance, Buddy Dixon introduced the "12 Days Of Christmas Choir", a motley collection of relectant singers selected by him from the audience.  This has become an annual event at this party with some new and some returning members selected to perform.  Dick "Five Golden Rings" Hill returned to give his all to his part as shown in some of the pictures.  After the 12 Days Of Christmas Choir concluded their performance, Bill "50-50" Hartnett handled the drawing for three $50 prizes.  Deacon John Froning closed the meeting with a prayer.

Speaker for the evening, HSV Marketing Manager Dannet Botkin

The Men's Club regular Membership Meeting on Tuesday, October 14, 2014 was attended by approximately 70 members and guest in the Lower Hall of the Church.  The guest and speaker for the evening was Dannet Botkin, Marketing Manager for the Hot Springs Village POA.  After a great meatloaf dinner served up by Rick Hiemenz and his helpers, Dannet was introduced by Program Director Buddy Dixon and spoke to the membership about the ongoing efforts of the POA to promote the Village to the younger clients and potential new homeowners for the Village.  Among the efforts to entice these younger potential homeowners was the various new organizations such as the Rod & Gun Club, Pickelball Club, HSV Basecamp, Grove Park with it's numerous activities, etc.  After her presentation Dannet took questions from the assembled members.  This is Dannet's second visit to the Men's Club and was intended as an update of her previous visit which occured shortly after she was hired by the POA.

After Dannet's presentation Bob Heisler hosted a short meeting covering the various activities of the Club.

Dinner patrons at the 2014 Men's Club Chicken Bake

The Men's Club Annual Chicken Bake was held on Friday evening, October 3, 2014 in the Lower Hall of the Church.  Both the 5:00 PM and 6:30 PM, 230 person capacity seatings, were sold out.  The event chairman, Joe Lemmler, did an excellent job organizing the Chicken Bake, and some 50 members participated as waiters, greeters, set up, refreshment center staff, kitchen coordinators, ticket seller, etc.

Our chef, Rick Hiemenz, and his crew, did an outstanding job in preparing a delicious meal of creamed baked chicken, green beans, baked potato, garden salad, and rolls.  The meal was topped off by Fr. Bill's famous ice cream, available in three flaviors, fresh Arkansas strawberry, mocha chocolate chip, and creme de menthe.  The ice cream was served at the dinner tables by CCD students, members of St. Jude's Guild of the Ladies of the Sacred Heart, and by Fr. Bill.  The St. Jude's Guild organized the CCD students and their own members for this event.

The Men's Club officers thank all who supported the Men's Club in this annual event, the proceeds of which are donated to local charities.  Special thanks also to Fr. Bill for preparing the ice cream, the sale of which goes to support the CCD program.

Pictures from the Chicken Bake are available in the Photo Gallery.

David Twiggs answering questions after his presentation.

The first meeting of the Men's Club for the 2014-2015 year was held on September 9, 2014 in the Lower Hall of the Church.  The meeting was attended by approximately 180 members, wives and guests, attracted to some extent by the appearance of our speaker, David Twiggs, COO & General Manager of Hot Springs Village.  After dinner, David gave a short summary of the reasons for the needed increase in monthly assessments.  After his presentation David answered several question from the attendees.

President Bob Heisler then conducted a short meeting introducing this years officers, 1st VP - Joe Lemmler, 2nd VP Larry Poldrack, Treasurer Rick Goss, Secretary & Membership Chairman Don Glinka, Sergeant-At-Arms Scott Krantz, Program Director Buddy Dixon, and Past President Bill Patterson.  Chaplin Fr. Bill Elser closed the meeting with a prayer.

Getting ready for the first pitch

On Monday afternoon, July 28 at 4:00 PM some 90 Men's Club Members, spouses, & friends boarded two buses headed to Dickey-Stephens Ballpark located on the banks of the Arkansas River in North Little Rock. The very comfortable buses took approximately 75 minutes to get to the ballpark. The group was unloaded near the pavillion where they were served dinner consisting of hamburgers, hot dogs, and other ballpark type food.

After dinner the group migrated over to their reserved seats on the 1st base side of the ballpark. The Arkansas Travelers were playing their in-state rivals, the Northwest Arkansas Naturals for 1st place in their division. There was a special treat in that C.J. Wilson, a regular starting pitcher for the L.A. Angels, was on rehab assignment with the Travelers, and was their starting pitcher that evening. After settling in their seats the group enjoyed a good game won by the Travelers, 9 t0 3.

The group was picked up by the buses at the front of the stadium and travelled back to the Village, arriving at about 11:30, tired but treated to a great outing. A good time with good friends.

Many thanks go to event chairman, Buddy Dixon and his wife Martha, for many hours of work, which was made more difficult by our original game in June being rescheduled  due to rain.

Men's Club Steak Dinner attendees

The Men's Club met on May 13, 2014 for it's annual end of the year Steak Dinner.  Approximately 180 members, their wives and guest speakers attended.  The Rick Heimenz kitchen crew cooked steaks along with green beans, baked potaoes, salad, bread and ice cream prepared by Fr. Bill.

After the meal Dr. Morgan Sauer gave a PowerPoint presentation on the Longevity Center, which he heads up in Little Rock.  As part of his presentation he pointed out some of the good things (more emphasis on preventative care) promoted by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and some of the things that will need to get changed to make the ACA more reasonable for caregivers.  He and Buddy Dixon briefly reviewed the St. Vincent takeover of Mercy Hospital in Hot Springs and it's affect on Hot Springs Village.

President Bob Heisler chaired a brief business meeting, introducing the 2014-15 officers, President - Bob Heisler, 1st Vice President - Joe Lemmler,  2nd Vice President - Larry Poldrack,  Secretary - Don Glinka, Treasurer - Rick Goss,  Sergeant-At-Arms - Scott Krantz,  Program & Activity Director - Buddy Dixon.  

Hwy. 7 Cleanup Crew - Dick Hoepner, Mike Kerwin, Ray Ambrozich, Oliver Field, Jim Timmerman, Don Dierks, Joe Lemmler, John Rachwal, Dennis Sisson, Wilheim Brahm, John Froning, Tom Hickox & Daughter

On Saturday, April 12, 2014, fifteen Men's Club volunteers, led by Wilhelm Brahm, cleaned up approximately one mile of Highway 7, south of the West Gate of Hot Springs Village. Fifteen volunteers allowed the group to finish in less than one hour. The Club has been cleaning up this section of Highway 7 for over 15 years. Thanks to the volunteers.